NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Former Vanderbilt standout Walker Buehler is bound for the World Series, as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves in seven games across the National League Championship Series. The World Series is slated to begin on Tuesday evening, taking place at Global Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
The Dodgers completed the 3-1 series comeback against the Braves in the NLCS, which featured three VandyBoys – Buehler, Dansby Swanson and Kyle Wright.
Nothing better than #postseason baseball 🔥
Three #VandyBoys competing in the #NLCS 👀#eVerythingU | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/eXNj2XQlvv
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) October 12, 2020
Before facing off tonight, Dansby Swanson and Walker Buehler were teammates at Vanderbilt…
and they were ROOMMATES. pic.twitter.com/bKmIRESzsS
— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 13, 2020
Down 3-2 in the series, Buehler earned the start in Game 6 for Los Angeles and recorded a spectacular outing. The right-hander covered 6.0 shutout innings, while striking out six batters in the quality start to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
Buehler became the first Dodgers pitcher to go 6.0+ scoreless innings in an NLCS elimination game since Orel Hershiser in Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS.
21 savage. pic.twitter.com/08TBpc3fnY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2020
FIRED UP 🔥@buehlersdayoff #LATogether | #VandyBoys
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) October 17, 2020
Walker Buehler is the first @Dodgers pitcher to go 6+ scoreless in an NLCS elimination game since Orel Hershiser in Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS. pic.twitter.com/NmPToTTPlD
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 17, 2020
On the other side, Swanson continued his hot postseason play for the Braves. The former first overall pick registered seven hits across the NLCS, including a three-hit performance in Game 6 of the series.
RBI DOUBLE‼️@LieutenantDans7 👊#MixItUp | #VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/bBR6mmq3vx
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) October 14, 2020
Mood 🔥🔥#MixItUp | #VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/Qiy7FtlsX6
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) October 16, 2020
DANSBY DOUBLE❗️@LieutenantDans7 💥#MixItUp | #VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/KfwxQaOlGt
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) October 16, 2020
Swanson launched a solo shot in Game 7, marking his third home run of the postseason.
DANS💣❗️@LieutenantDans7 💪#MixItUp | #VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/V4K0YyRina
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) October 19, 2020
Vanderbilt will also have a connection on the American League side of the World Series, as former Commodore Jeremy Sowers serves as the Manager of Major League Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Sowers starred for Vandy from 2002-04, before being selected by the Cleveland Indians with the sixth overall pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft.
Seven former Commodores were named to opening postseason rosters, marking the most of any school. Additionally, Vanderbilt had 25 connections in the MLB playoffs between players and staff.
Vanderbilt Alumni on MLB Playoff Rosters
Walker Buehler – Los Angeles Dodgers
Vanderbilt Alumni on MLB Playoff Staffs
Jeremy Sowers – Tampa Bay Rays (Major League Operations)
